Week two of the 2015/16 D2 season was as expected, a much more difficult task for our young squad. New Haven were predicted to be the team to beat this season and they showed us why by putting on an impressive counter attacking display to run out 69-18 winners.
But as is often the case the score line does not tell the whole story and WPRFC will take some positives away from this game in order to grow from the experience. For long periods of the game WPRFC dominated in the set piece and defensive breakdown. Our unrelenting effort, attitude and discipline proved to disrupt New Haven as we kept them at bay for long periods.
In attack, WPRFC also managed to apply prolonged periods of pressure that forced New Haven into frequent infringements, picking up 2 yellow cards in what could have been seen as a lenient display by the official.
However, WPRFC were their own worst enemy in attack, squandering many opportunities by not finding the final pass, losing the ball in contact or being lax at critical rucks. New Haven punished these turnovers mercilessly converting counter attacks in to tries to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
With players returning from injury and the hard work the lads are putting in I’m sure WPRFC will learn the lessons from this game and continue to improve.
Next up will be the Village Lions at Randall's Island which will give the boys the opportunity to put last weeks disappointment behind them.